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Growth Spurt Series: On Demand Videos
Ready to grow your business? The Growth Spurt Series offers on-demand educational videos designed to help entrepreneurs build knowledge and take the next step in their business journey. Simply complete the short registration form with your information, then start watching the videos at your own pace.
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Small Biz Quiz
Think you know Iowa SBDC? Make your guess, then click to reveal the answer.
| | The Iowa SBDC has experienced counselors and resources to help you learn how to start, operate, and grow your business. Check out our trainings to start learning! | | | |
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Writing a business plan can be intimidating. Small business owners are juggling market research with competitor analysis and financial projections with marketing strategies. With so much to consider and organize, it’s easy to lose your drive. Let The Iowa Center help you navigate it all.
Participants will receive:
- Step-by-step guidance to complete each section of your business plan
- Live group classes and one-on-one business coaching
- Business fundamentals training from experienced instructors
- Peer support and networking opportunities
- A $1400-value Industry Intelligence Report based on your NAICS code
- Graduation pitch night to present your business to the community
Next event: Wednesday, September 23 | 5:30PM - 7:30PM
The Iowa Center | 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
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SMART START:
What you need to know before starting your business
This session helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand what it really takes to start a business—from planning and finances to mindset and support. Learn how SCORE’s free mentoring and resources can help you prepare, plan, and move forward with confidence.
October 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Free
Indianola Public Library
207 N B St
Indianola, Iowa 50125
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Stronger Businesses. Safer Community.
Practical cybersecurity for small businesses and nonprofits — covering data protection, AI-related threats, emerging scams, and building a cyber-aware workplace culture. Includes a panel discussion with local experts.
This is the first of many community-wide cybersecurity events focused on helping residents, families, businesses, and organizations stay safe in today’s digital world. Our goal is simple: provide practical information, useful resources, and community connections that help build a safer and more cyber-aware community. This event is in collaboration between PC Matic, Huxley Communications, Huxley Development Corporation, City of Huxley, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance.
October 5, 2026 | 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Free
Heritage Coffeehouse + Venue
402 Anthem Dr, Huxley, IA 50124
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Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Food Innovation and Business Hub, a resource that helps Iowa entrepreneurs develop successful food businesses, will host a monthly “Lunch and Learn” webinar series in 2026 to support current and aspiring Iowa food entrepreneurs. The webinars are offered at no cost and open to all.
The series is specifically designed for food business owners, farmers exploring value-added products and individuals in the early stages of developing a food-based enterprise.
October 6th, 2026
12 PM - 1 PM CDT
Virtual Event
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Resources to Move Your Business Forward
Have an idea for a new product, service, or direction for your business but aren’t sure what comes next? Join us for a one-hour Virtual Coffee Break to discover Iowa resources that can help you find expertise, explore funding opportunities, test an idea, solve business challenges, and identify your next step.
Questions? Contact Kelly Prickett at 641-683-5188
October 21, 2026 | 9 AM - 10 AM | Free
Virtual Via Zoom
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Save 25% on Google Workspace
Small businesses in the Iowa SBDC network can now access an exclusive 25% discount on Google Workspace.
For the first 12 months, eligible new Google Workspace customers can receive 25% off Starter, Standard, or Plus plans.
Google Workspace provides small businesses with:
- Professional email using your business domain
- Expanded cloud storage
- Video meetings
- Real-time collaboration tools
- Gemini AI built into Google Workspace
Who is eligible?
The offer is available to new Google Workspace customers only. Businesses cannot have a current or previous paid Google Workspace subscription.
How to redeem:
Contact Sam Vreeland at Round Barn Labs at sam@roundbarnlabs.com to request a promotional offer code.
Questions? Contact Sam Vreeland at Round Barn Labs at sam@roundbarnlabs.com or April Youngblut at America's SBDC at april@americassbdc.org.
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Venture School
FOR STARTUPS ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA
If you're looking to sharpen your entrepreneurial skills or validate a groundbreaking business idea in the state of Iowa - you've found your solution. Master the startup process with our premier statewide Venture School, an innovative training program designed for both emerging entrepreneurs and established business professionals seeking to drive innovation.
Some locations are hybrid, meaning the first and last class will be in person and all other classes will be online. In-person locations will be given via email once applied.
ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD FROM 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
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The Iowa Center
The Iowa Center is an economic development organization that empowers Iowans to launch, manage, and grow small businesses.
Their class and event lineup include business planning courses, special topics such as accounting, legal or marketing, networking events, and small accountability groups that can help you feel connected and supported.
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SCORE Upcoming Events
Workshops, Webinars, Events and Courses for Business Growth
Gain insights and skills needed to grow your business. Our small business training includes live and recorded webinars, in-person and online workshops, events and courses led by industry experts. Whether you’re starting out or looking to expand, we provide the educational tools to help you succeed.
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Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
Iowa State University's Ivy College of Business
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Advance Your Supply Chain Career—100% Online
Build your expertise and lead in a changing supply chain landscape.
Supply chain complexity isn’t going away. Workforce shortages, shifting customer expectations, sourcing disruptions, and rising demands for efficiency are creating new challenges—and new opportunities—for professionals who know how to navigate them.
The Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business offers a 100 percent online Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MS SCM) program designed for working professionals.
Develop advanced skills in:
- Supply chain strategy and operations
- Logistics and transportation management
- Strategic sourcing and procurement
- Data-driven decision-making and analytics
- Risk management and supply chain resilience
Keep working while you earn your master’s degree.
The flexible online format allows you to apply what you learn immediately in your organization, and the program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
Whether you're looking to advance your career, expand your leadership capabilities or strengthen your organization's supply chain talent, Iowa State's online MS SCM can help you take the next step.
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$10 million in funding to
America's SBDCs
Google.org is providing $10 million in funding to America's SBDC's, a national network of centers that provides training and resources to entrepreneurs. This funding will support the creation of an AI curriculum and AI Clinics to help 100,000 small businesses unlock the power of AI to grow. Building on cybersecurity, medical, and law school clinics, these efforts will bring SBDC advisors and university students together to provide local businesses with free AI services and training. America's SBDC will also receive over 500 scholarships to the Google AI Essentials course to upskill SBDC advisors responsible for activating small businesses in their communities.
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U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA offers a learning platform for online training programs, development, and growth opportunities designed to empower and educate small business owners. They also offer a wide range of upcoming online events to further educate yourself about your small business ventures.
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Changes to the tax code have made filing taxes for small businesses increasingly more complex. In order to meet the demand of small business owners who need assistance with filing timely and complete taxes, The Iowa Center has partnered with Intuit to launch Small Business Tax Services.
Small Business Tax Services is a flat-fee service for small businesses to understand and fulfill their tax obligations. You will meet with an Iowa Center Small Business Tax Preparer in their office to get caught back up with your tax filings and set up a plan to prepare for future tax success!
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SEC Resources
Did you know the SEC has a Small Business Advocacy Office? Check out their Roadmap to Funding a Small Business and explore other resources available on the SEC's Capital Raising Hub to help equip small businesses and their investors with the tools needed to navigate capital raising! there is even a glossary that helps cut through the jargon.
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CIRAS Training, Events, and Workshops
Follow the link below to view upcoming events provided by the Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service.
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Scams, Webinars, Tax Tips, and More
Click the link below for more information from the IRS on current scams, upcoming webinars, tax tips, and much more.
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Addressing Mental Health
Mental Health First Aid empowers Iowans.
ISU Extension and Outreach delivers Mental Health First Aid training to:
• adult employees at workplaces
• school and human services personnel
• agribusiness staff
• other individuals who support farmers and their families
| | For more information, visit our America's SBDC Iowa website. | | | | |
America’s SBDC Iowa is an outreach program of Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
| | Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA | | Regional Host Institutions | | | | |
